Rope railway



April 15, 1941. F. HUNZIKER I 2,238,265

ROPE RAILWAY Filed Jan. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1 I

April 15, 1941. HUNZIKER 2,238,265

ROPE RAILWAY Filed Jan. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2- April 15, 1941. HUNZlKER 2,238,265

ROPE RAILWAY Filed Jan. 19, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 15, 1941 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROPE RAILWAY Franz Hunziker, Lucerne, Switzerland Application January 19, 1938, Serial No. 185,750

31 (Elairns.

The invention relates to a new and improved aerial ropeway and more particularly to overhead aerial ropeways of the type comprising load carriers mounted upon a rope. The load carriers may be conveying receptacles, canines, buckets and so on playing between two terminus stations or traveling in a circuit.

The main object of the invention is to provide means which allow the passing of the load carriers over all the supporting and driving sheaves whatever their inclination may be.

A further object of the invention is to provide an aerial ropeway with at least one rope, at least one load suspension means in articulated connection with said rope either permanently or detachably, so that said load suspension may travel while hanging approximately vertically down and while being swingable freely from the rope without injuring the rope, the connection being such that said load suspension means may travel around horizontal driving sheaves or slantingly disposed driving sheaves or directing sheaves or reversing sheaves at the ends of the stretch. It also is suspended in such manner that it may travel if necessary around sheaves on intermediate posts regardless of the position of said sheaves. In this manner it will be feasible to permit the suspension means. to travel over relatively long parts of the rope between cable supporting means, and the sheaves for directing or 9 reversing may be vertical or they may be supported on one side only.

The invention is also suitable not only for or-. dinary rope railways but for other types of aerial ropeways, while they remain in contact with the ground, for carrying sleighs and other vehicles still in contact with the ground.

Where the aerial ropeways is intended for pendulating traffic back and forth, the invention not only has the great advantage that the rope is not damaged, but that the bumpers at the ends of the stretch can be dispensed with. There is no danger of running into bumpers when, the vehicle travels beyond the terminals of the stretch. The places for stopping, therefore, need not be maintained as accurately. The stretches between. stations can be shorter and the stations themselves can be simplified and made cheaper.

When the aerial railway is one that has a closed stretch and where, therefore, the vehicle travels in a closed path, the invention also has the advantage of simplifying thestations and reducing their costs, as well as simplifying the operation. Less space is required for the stations as for instance, for carrying skiers Germany January 30, 1937 itself even though they travel over the reversing sheaves at the end of the stretch and which, therefore, greatly reduce the times of stoppage. The aerial ropeway of the present invention may not only have the traction rope proper, but auxiliary ropes which assist in supporting the load or supporting rails, or they may have a single supporting and traction rope.

For back and forth traffic, as well as for traffic in a closed path, it is important, in order to ,reduce the initial costs and to subject the rope to the least possible wear-particularly in mountainous territory-to subject the rope to as few bends as possible since the rope is under great tension and has considerable thickness. The most advantageous condition is that in which at the ends of the stretch there is located, at each end, a rope-driving sheave or rope-reversing sheave which is in slanting position with respect to the grade of the railway itself. At least, this applies up to a certain approximate grade. This sheave, which is at an angle tothe grade of the aerial ropeway, is in the grip of the rope over an angle for not more than 180 degrees, and in this way any additional deflection or bending of the rope is thereby avoided. This particularly reduces the wear on the rope and it also saves additional equipment, namely, defleeting sheaves for the rope, and it also saves space. Y

A tramc in a closed path also can be rendered of such condition that it will not be injurious to the rope. This is made possible by providing a universal joint in the suspension of the load from the rope. Owing to this universal joint, the load suspension may freely adjust itself in spite of inclination and direction of the rope, varying in accordance with the position of the sheaves and in accordance with the different inclination at the plane of the circumference of the sheaves. The load suspension may adjust itself freely at these points. It may swing in any desired direction and it will, therefore,

travel over these directing sheaves without any disadvantage for the rope. The pivotal connection between rope and load suspension permits the suspension to swing transversely to the rope approximately about the axis of the rope, but it also swings in the direction of the travel about the axis of a pivot which remains substantially horizontal as long as the load suspension has a certain weight. This pivot pin, permitting the load suspension to swing in a plane in the direction of the travel, is shown in the diagrammatic figures and in the embodiment illustrated to be directed horizontally outwardly from the axis of the rope and at right angles thereto. The swinging movements of the load suspension may be reduced by providing suitable damping devices.

An example of construction of a rope railway in accordance with the present invention with different forms of construction of the suspension of the load carriers is shown diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows in a diagrammatical manner a rope railway in side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof;

Fig. 3 shows in a front view the means of corn necting a load carrier to the rope.

Fig. 4 is a top view in section on line IVIV of Fig. 3 showing the pivot carrying the load.

Fig. 5 shows parts of the connecting means on a larger scale in section on line VV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 illustrates in a side elevation the means connecting the load carrier to the rope, while said connecting means pass over a guide pulley.

Fig. 7 is a section on line VIL-VII of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a section on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 4i showing the mounting of the load in section.

In Figs. 1 and 2 a indicates the endless rope. b and c are the two end guide pulleys located at the terminus stations, positioned at inclinations cc and B. The lower guide pulley is provided with the tensioning device (I for instance a heavy load 71. acting on an incline and the driving device e, for instance an electric motor. This very. advantageous construction is novel for rope railways with load carriers running around the end pulleys. It produces the slightest additional rope tensioning force, the lowest costs of supplying energy and the simplest, most inexpensive construction. The drive or the tensioning device may, however, be also provided at the mountain or mine station or may be divided between the two terminus stations.

1 indicates the load carriers, which may be cabs for passengers, buckets and so on, which are suspended vertically on the rope by means of pivots g. The pivots g, which are rotatably mounted on the rope a, assume, at the terminus stations, the angle of inclination 0c and 13 of the railway with the planes of rotation of the pulleys. The setting or movement of the pivot g relatively to the axis of the rope has no deleterious influence on the rope, its movement and tension.

The connecting element between the rope and the load carrier is particularly shown in Figs. 3 to 8. On the rope a is mounted a pivotal member 10, either at a predetermined point of the endless rope or preferably formed as a rope coupling so as to protect the rope or as far as possible from bends and to enable it to be replaced easily in separate sections.

Instead of a single member the load carrier may also be secured to at least two of such members arranged at a short distance on the rope.

For coupling the rope ball joints 2 are preferred as with the simplest shape and smallest external diameter they provide for the largest possible effective surface as also the largest universal jointing and the free rotation of the rope permits the automatic removal of an excessive twist of the rope.

The member 1) comprises the half-balls 2 rotatably mounted on the bolts 3, the rope end socket 4, the ball cups 5 and the intermediate member 6 with the reduction nipple 6a. The ball cups 5 are screwed to the intermediate member 6 and secured by the pins I. By unscrewing the said cups 5 lubricant by means of a grease gun may be introduced. In the hollow intermediate member 6 two pistons 8 form a closure for the space containing the lubricant, the latter being kept under pressure. This eiiective joint lubrication permits of a high surface pressure.

On the intermediate member i: there is rotatably mounted a sleeve H, from which there extends a shaft [2 located horizontally at right angles to the rope and on which there is mounted the load carrier hanger l5 for the load carrier. For damping the oscillating movement of the load carrier in the direction of travel there is arranged a friction brake. On the hub 50 of the load carrier hanger i 5, friction disks 5i are fixed by keys. Between consecutive disks 5| friction disks 53 are arranged which are fastened to the hollow hub 54 of sleeve 4. The disks 5|, 53, are encased in the space I 5. The discs El and 53 serve as part of an oscillation damper to check the swinging movements of member IS on member I2 as an axis. On the hub 55 a bell shaped member 22 is slidably arranged in axial direction. The member 22 is pressed against the conical rim ll of hub 54 by means of a ring 55 and a screw 5?. The member 22 is irictionally connected with the member I l and is provided with two arms. On each arm a grooved roller 20 (Fig. 8) is rotatably mounted. The rollers 23 run on bolts 58 fixed by known means to the supporting member 22. The rollers 20 co-operate with stationary guide rails 2! arranged in proximity to the guide sheaves 19 for the rope a. The rollers 20 together with the rails 2| prevent hard impact when the rope end sockets 4 run on to and off a guide sheave I9. The guide rollers 20 are inclined and they draw the rope coupling P slightly outwards and permit the passage of the coupling P over guide pulley of any inclination. The support 22 is provided with a curved guide face 22a which lug co-operates with the rail 2! to bring the roller-support 22 automatically in position to get the rollers 20 to run on the rail 2!. On the pivot H a guide rail 3| is fixed. The free ends of the guide rail ii are connected with the free end of the arms 22 by springs 32. The springs have the tendency to hold the roller support 22 in its middle position and to damp impacts of the rollers 20 on the rail 2i. The roller support 22 is always held in its mid position by the fixed rail 3|, secured to the hinge sleeve H and by the two springs 32 interconnecting the bar 3! with the support 22.

The guide rail 2! is located in such a manner with reference to the sheave [9 that the rope a is slightly forced outwardly and the coupling 20 is diverted and smoothly guided over sheave I9. In order to prevent any transverse oscillation there is provided at the end of the shaft I 2 a guide roller 33 which bears against a rail 34 resiliently mounted on springs 59 on the mast on which the sheave I9 is journalled. In the case of a strong transverse wind the resiliently mounted rail 34 yields so that the suspension device 11 for the load carrier hanger is not excessively strained. At the end stations a similar external guide rail can be located on both sides of the guide sheave.

In the drawings the end guide sheave is provided with an enlarged flange providing space for the suspension device P of the load carrier Instead of this the suspension device P could be supported by a guide rail (not shown in the drawing) surrounding the sheave so as to relieve the latter.

To keep the rope a under tension there is provided a carriage 11. running on inclined rails (Fig. 1) The carriage h by its own weight and by any additional load keeps the rope a taut. There is provided at least one transverse platform m on the tensioning carriage h, which is movable between the longitudinal platforms (steps) at, located along the inclination of the aerial ropeways. This provides for easy accessibility to the load carriers f regardless of the length of the rope (I. As the platforms n are located in the form of a U around the guide sheaves b the load carrier, for instance the conveying receptacles 7, which in their stopping position are firmly supported on the guide sheave b, are accessible for a fairly long distance without it being necessary for them to stop exactly at a predetermined spot. For this reason small stations are sufficient. Of particular advantage are the horizontal transverse platforms m at the terminus stations of the aerial ropeways where the conveying receptacles or load carriers are accessible very conveniently. The transverse platform m of the tensioning carriage It may also :be provided with steps in the form of a U around the end guide pulley b. Instead of a single guide pulley b at each terminus station it is also possible to provide two guide sheaves 1) side by side.

For tensioning the rope there may be provided, instead of a mechanical, a hydraulic device (1 with an automatic rope tension adjusting device. As said hydraulic device a hydraulic cylinder may be used which is interposed between a fixed abutment and the carriage it. Such a device is much simpler and cheaper than the expensive tensioning weights with their deep shaft and large requirement for space hitherto generally used in connection with suspension ropeways. The constructional part thus becomes much cheaper and can be carried. out more rapidly. This system is suitable for all types of suspension ropeways especially also for single ropeways capable of being easily moved locally. In comparison to the rope tensioning by weights. the hydraulic or mechanical device, with or without a motor, has the further advantage that the stations can be built of less height as it is no longer necessary to consider the deep shaft required when tensioning weights are used and the high position of the tensioning ropes and rollers required when such weights are used. In addition there are omitted the tensioning ropes, forming a sore point of nearly all suspension ropeways, which pass over small rollers and must frequently be replaced.

What I wish to claim and secure by U. S. Letters Patent is:

1. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, said means including a member, relatively short with respect to the guide sheave circumference, directly connected to the cable, a shaft having a bearing located at right angles to the axis of the shaft and pivotally mounted on said member whereby said shaft may move bodily around said member, a load-carrying hanger pivotally mounted on said shaft, and an oscillation damper for damping the movements of said hanger on said shaft, said damper comprising discs connected to said shaft, other discs keyed to said hanger and interspaced with said first discs, and spring means holding said discs in contact to serve as a friction clutch.

. 2. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, said means including an elongated bearing member on which said load carrier is swingably mounted, and ball and socket connections between the ends of said bearing members and adjacent ends of said cable, said bearing member being short relatively to the circumferences of the pulleys so as easily to go around the pulleys in grooves thereof.

3. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, said means including an elongated bearing member on which said load carrier is mounted, and connections between the ends of said bearing member and adjacent ends of said cable, said bearing member being short relatively to the circumferences of the sheaves so as easily to go around the sheaves in grooves thereof, said elongated bearing member being of a length such that the points of connection of the cable with the bearing member are held out of engagement with the sheave in passing around the same.

l. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, and a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings. l

5. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, and a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings.

6. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at

least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprisin a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, and a suspension memher pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends.

7. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, and means adjustably connecting said bearing members to said cylindrical members.

8. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at

least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, and a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, said cylindrical member being tubular and said bearing members being in communication with said tubular cylindrical member and adapted to contain grease for lubrication.

9. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, said cylindrical member being tubular and said bearing members being in communication with said tubular cylindrical member and adapted to contain grease for lubrication, and opposed pistons in said cylindrical member.

10. In an aerial rcpeway, a supporting cable,

at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, said cylindrical member being tubular and said bearing members being in communication with said tubular cylindrical member and adapted to contain grease for lubrication, and means in said tubular cylindrical member and acting toward said bearing members for maintaining the grease under pressure.

11. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connec tion comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, and means for forcing lubricant to the bearing surfaces of said bearing members and said ball-shaped members.

12. In an aerial ropeway, a supporting cable, at least one load carrier, means to connect said load carrier to said cable, said means comprising a cable and a coupling swivelly connected to the adjacent ends of the cable and a shaft having a member pivotally mounted on said coupling to turn on the axis thereof and thereby to permit bodily swinging movement of said shaft in a plane normal to said axis, a suspension member pivoted on said shaft to swing in a plane normal to that in which the shaft swings, said swivel connection comprising a cylindrical member on which said shafts member is pivoted, a bearing member secured to each end of said cylindrical member, ball-shaped members rotatably mounted in said bearing members, and bolts rotatably held in said ball-shaped members and secured respectively to the cable ends, and means for forcing lubricant to the bearing surfaces of said bearing members and said ball-shaped members, said last-named means comprising a chamber in said cylindrical member which is in communication with the interiors of said bearing members, and separated opposed pistons in said chamber, by virtue of which when grease is forced into said bearing members said pistons will be caused to approach one another and compress the air between them.

13. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves, and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, said mounting means including a member pivotally mounted on the cable, and

means carried by the cable for holding said member out of pressure contact with the guide sheaves while passing around the same, by virtue of which said carrier may swing freely with respect to said sheaves around the axis of the cable while passing around the sheaves.

14. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves, and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, said mounting means including a member pivotally mounted on the cable, means carried by the cable for holding said member out of pressure contact with the guide sheaves while passing around the same, by virtue of which said carrier may swing freely with respect to said sheaves around the axis of the cable while passing around the sheaves, and means cooperating with said mounting means for restraining said swinging movement within predetermined limits while the load carrier is passing around a guide sheave.

15. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a cable running over end guide sheaves and a load carrier, of means for mounting said carrier on said cable for swinging movement on the axis of the cable and on an axis normal to the axis of the cable, guide rollers carrier by said means, fixed guide rails located adjacent said sheaves and engaged by said guide rollers to hold said last-named axis horizontal, there being at least two guide rollers mounted one to the rear of the Other in the direction of travel on a carrier forming a part of said mounting means acting as a beam whose fulcrum is said last-named axis.

16. An aerial ropeway comprising a plurality of sheaves, an endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, means to connect said hanger swivelly to said rope in virtue of which said hanger may swing in a plane normal to the axis of the rope without twisting the rope, said connecting means including means whereby said hanger may also swing in a plane parallel to the axis of the rope, said connecting means being shaped to permit the passage thereof over the sheaves without reducing the guidance of the rope or its hold on the sheaves, and means to guide said hanger to restrain its plvotal movement in said normal plane while said hanger passes around a sheave, said guiding means comprising guide rollers on said hanger and guide bars in proximity to said sheaves.

- 17. An aerial ropeway comprising a. plurality of sheaves, an endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, means to connect said hanger to said rope so that it may swing in a plane normal to the rope and also in a plane parallel to the rope, said connecting means being shaped to permit the passage thereof over the sheaves without reducing guidance of the rope or its hold on the sheaves, means to guide said hanger to obviate jerks while said means pass over a sheave, said guiding means comprising a support movably mounted on said hanger, at least two rollers on said support, a guide bar for said rollers, and means to support said bar.

18. An aerial ropeway comprising a plurality of sheaves, an endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, means to connect said load carrier hanger to said rope so that it may swing in a plane normal to the'rope without twisting the rope and also swing in a plane parallel to the rope, said connecting means being shaped to allow the passage thereof over the pulley without reducing the guidance of the rope or its hold on the sheaves, means including rollers and a support therefor for guiding the load carrier hanger to obviate jerks while said connecting means passes around a sheave, said guiding means also including a casing, a braking device to mitigate the swinging action of the load carrier hanger, said braking device being arranged in said casing.

19. An aerial ropeway comprising a plurality of sheaves, an endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, means to connect said load carrier hanger to said rope so that it may swing in a plane normal to the axis of the rope without twisting the rope and so that it may also swing in a plane parallel to the rope, a braking device to mitigate the swinging action of the load carrier hanger, means to support said braking device in cooperative relation to said load carrier hanger, a guide roller on said load carrier hanger, a guide bar near each sheave and held in cooperative relation with said guide roller to prevent the swinging of the load carrier hanger in a radial direction of the 1 sheave.

q least one endless rope guided on said sheaves,

at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves groove and to pass around the sheave, the universal joint connecting the load carrier hanger to the rope consisting of at least one conveying member connected to the rope in combination with a T-shaped cross joint member pivotally mounted in the rope axis and able to move around it without turning the rope and conveyed by said conveying member, the cross joint member being arranged horizontally at right angle to the rope, and bearing the load carrier hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise thereof in consequence of the universal joint, the rope having a connecting member for connecting the ends of the rope, said connecting member being larger than the bearing of the cross joint member situated on the rope axis for the purpose of holding the cross joint member free of contact with asheave when passing along the sheave groove.

22. An aerial ropeway, comprising a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on supports, at least one endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves groove and to pass around the sheave, having a rope joint member, a sleeve to pivotally connect the load carrier hanger to the same, said rope joint member connecting the rope ends by means of two ball joints, the ball of each being fixed at the rope end and connected to the rope joint member by a ball joint cap, and having a bearing at each end of the rope joint member, a ball shaped member rotatably mounted in each of said bearings, the ball shaped member being fixed at the rope end by connecting means, pressure means located in the interior of the rope joint member to positively lubricate the bearings.

23. An aerial ropeway, comprising a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on supports, at least one endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves. groove and to pass around the sheave, guiding means to obviate jerks when passing sheaves, said guiding means being arranged at the hanger side of the rope only, allowing the universal joint to pass sheaves of different positions and to turn back around end guide sheaves, said guiding means comprising at least one roller support combined with the cross joint member of the universal joint, at least two rollers on said support and at least one stationary guide rail for said rollers being arranged at the hanger side of the rope only.

24. An aerial ropeway as defined in claim 23,

said guiding means comprising a roller support movably mounted on the hanger connecting means, at least two rollers on said support and one stationary guiding rail for said rollers being arranged at the hanger side of the rope only.

25. An aerial ropeway as defined in claim 23, the cross joint member having at its free end guiding means to keep it horizontal when passing a sheave.

26. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a rope running over end guide sheaves and at least one load carrier hanger, of means for mounting said hanger on said rope for swinging movement on the axis of the rope without twisting the rope and on an axis normal to the rope, guide rollers carried by said means and stationary guide rails located on the hanger side of the rope only.

27. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a rope running over end guide sheaves and at least one load carrier, of means for mounting the hanger for said carrier on said rope for swinging movement on the axis of the rope and on an axis normal to the same, said means including an elongated bearing member on which said load carrier hanger is. swingably mounted, and a ball and socket connection between the ends of said bearing member and adjacent ends of said rope, said bearing member being short relatively to the circumference of the end guide sheave so as easily to go around the sheave in the groove thereof.

28. In aerial ropeways, the combination with a rope running over end guide sheaves and at least one load carrier, of means for mounting the hanger for said carrier on said rope for swinging movement on the axis of the rope and on an axis normal to the same, said means including an elongated bearing member on which said load carrier hanger is swmgably mounted, and connections between the ends of said bearing member and adjacent ends of said rope, said bearing member being short relatively to the circumference of the end guide sheave so as easily to go around the sheave in its groove, said elongated bearin member being of a length and diameter such that the connecting means between the rope and the bearing member are held out of engagement with the sheave in passing around the same.

29. An aerial ropeway, comprising a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on supports, at least one endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves groove and to pass around the sheave, said rope having a rope joint member, a sleeve to pivotally connect the load carrier hanger to the same, said rope joint member connecting the rope ends by means of two ball joints, the ball of each being fixed at the rope end and connected to the rope joint member by a ball joint cap.

30. An aerial ropeway, comprising a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on supports, at least one endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves groove and to pass around the sheave, said rope having a round rope joint member, a sleeve to pivotally connect the load carrier hanger to the same, said rope joint member connecting the rope ends by means of two ball joints, the ball of each being connected with the adjacent rope end'by means of a capping socket and bolt and with the rope joint member by means of a ball joint cap of such external diameter that the capping socket avoids touching the sheave.

31. An aerial ropeway, comprisin a plurality of sheaves rotatably mounted on supports, at least one endless rope guided on said sheaves, at least one load carrier hanger, a universal joint to pivotally connect said hanger to said rope, said universal joint allowing the hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise of the same without turning the rope, said universal joint being suitably shaped to enter in the sheaves groove and to pass around the sheave, the universal joint connecting the load carrier hanger to the rope consisting of at least one conveying member connected to the rope in combination with a T-shaped cross joint member pivotally mounted in the rope axis and able to move around it without turning the rope and conveyed by said conveying member, the cross joint memher being arranged horizontally at right angle to the rope, and bearing the load carrier hanger to swing in the direction of the rope and crosswise thereof in consequence of the universal joint, a brake device to mitigate the swinging action of the load carrier hanger in the direction of the rope, said brake device being arranged in a casing near the rope formed by the cross joint member connecting the load carrier hanger to the rope, the mitigating brake comprising discs connected to the cross joint member, other discs connected to the hanger and interspaced with said first discs, and spring means holding said discs in contact to serve as a friction clutch.

FRANZ HUNZIKER. 

